Hempnall FC

Despite the absence of Elton, Radford, Poll white and Bradley, Hempnall fielded a strong side, and we were confident that a victory was possible and so it proved.

Hempnall had no appointed referee, and Edward Cook was kind enough to step in, and did a great job.

Shaun Kelly coming in and abandoning his normal defensive position to play on the wing, and with Miller also coming in to play in midfield, the team looked balanced and were able to attack at will.

Indeed, Hempnall attacked from the off, Kelly going close, then Amini got in on the act, but still Hempnall were unable to hit the back of the net.

Chapman and Kelly were feeding well from the wings, Thompson and Mann looking likely, and Miller playing some magnificent passes, Forbes full of running belying his years (sorry Forbo).

The back four was looking organised, Tupper, Trett, Amini and Parnell keeping the occasional foray from Colkirk under control, all we were missing was a Hempnall goal.

It came after 14 minutes from Mann, a good finish into the bottom corner.

After Chapman and Forbes both had tries, as did Miller, Hempnall’s second came through Mann, on hand to poke home after 20 minutes.

To be honest, it looked all over, then Thompson shot from the edge of the box, deceiving the keeper, 3-0, and it was all over.

He then had a go from a free kick, Miller looked on wishing he had taken it after all as it sailed over.

Plenty of action in the Colkirk half saw the midfield dominate proceedings, Chapman and Kelly looked extremely dangerous, Trett and co at the back snuffed out any attackes with Bailey quickly off his line when needed.

Forbes hit a shot that deceived the keeper, his just reward for an all action performance.

Shots continued to pour in, but further goals eluded Hempnall, until Miller, from a corner, said to the writer ‘who do want to focus on, who shall I hit?’. ‘Chappers’ I answered, Miller duly obliged and Chapman headed (yes, headed) one in.

Kelly finally got his reward for a fine display, with a close range finish to delight mother K.

Hempnall kept pressing to the end, Miller showed his class in passing, but couldn’t manage to finish.

Despite this, he had an excellent game, and was a contender for MOM, as was Kelly, Chapman and 7 others, but for his hat trick, it has to go to Mann.